The Acalanes Dons Varsity Boys Lacrosse team took their show on the road Tuesday night, using a high-powered first quarter and a relentless transition game to secure a 12-8 victory over the Piedmont Highlanders.

While Piedmont struck first to take an early 1-0 lead, the Dons responded with an excellent offensive display. Caleb Mason got the Dons on the board via a Grant Condy assist, sparking a back-and-forth opening frame. Luke Dafferner then took over, firing a laser from 25 feet out to tie the game before eventually icing the quarter with a “killer” shot with just two seconds left on the clock, giving Acalanes a commanding 5-2 lead.

The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, but Grant Condy broke the silence with his first goal of the night to keep the cushion comfortable at 6-3 going into halftime.

The Dons’ defense and transition game shined in the second half. Corbin Gallegos sparked the momentum early in the third with a key turnover that led to a Jan Korzeniowski strike. Dafferner completed his hat trick later in the period with a textbook bounce shot from 20 feet out.

Piedmont refused to go quietly, frequently cutting into the lead, but the Dons always had an answer. Caleb Mason was the star of the second half for the Dons, securing his own hat trick with a sweet left-handed finish to make it 11-5, a sweet fast break run and goal from LSM Corbin Gallegos and Curtis Sanders added a late insurance goal to keep the game out of reach. Despite two late scores from the Highlanders, the Dons’ early lead and standout play by goalie Kyle Sanftner proved insurmountable. 

Acalanes (12-8) now turns their attention to a big home showdown against Bishop O’Dowd this Thursday. Let’s go Dons!